Aerospace
LCH is First Attack Helicopter to Land at Forward Base; HAL Completes Hot & High Altitude Trials at Leh.
Hot and high-altitude trials of indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) carried out at Leh recentlyBengaluru, September 3, 2015:
HAL successfully carried out the hot and the high-altitude trials of indigenously designed, developed attack chopper Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) at Leh recently. “These seasonal trials – including cold weather trials carried out at Leh during February this year – have been completed as part of the certification process. The flight trials at Leh have established hover performance and low speed handling characteristics of the helicopter under extreme weather conditions at different altitudes (3200 to 4800 m). During the trials, the helicopter and systems performed satisfactorily. LCH also has proven its capability to land and take off at Forward Landing Base in Siachen. LCH is the first attack helicopter to land in Forward Bases at Siachen”, says Mr.T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL.
The trials were carried out on the third prototype of LCH (TD3) at Leh at the temperatures ranging from 13 to 27 degree centigrade with the participation of user pilots from Air Force, Army and representatives from CEMILAC and DGAQA. Various tests included assessment and validation of flight envelope in ‘Hot-and-High’ conditions, culminating in landing at forward bases at geographic elevations of 13,600 feet to 15,800 feet. These landings and take-offs were demonstrated with reasonable amount of weapon load and fuel.
The upper reaches of the Indus river and its tributaries, Nubra and Shyok are home to the mighty Ladakh and Eastern Karakorum Ranges, with multiple lofty peaks over 25,000 feet and an average ridgeline elevation of 20,000 feet. It is also home to the largest glaciated area outside the Polar Regions and is sometimes called the ‘Third Pole’. The Siachen is the largest glacier here and is central to this region. The area experiences a period of summer during July-August in which temperatures soar to 30 degrees above standard atmosphere conditions. This mix of extreme altitudes and relatively high temperatures (‘Hot-and-High’) saps helicopter performance and as such, a few types of helicopters are able to operate effectively all year around.
LCH Progress:
With the extensive trials carried out on three prototypes at Bengaluru, sea level at Chennai in November 2013, cold weather at Leh during January/February 2015, hot weather at Jodhpur in July 2015 and hot and high altitude trials at a few days ago at Leh, the performance and handling qualities of the helicopter have been established for basic configuration (with EO Pod, Rocket launchers, Turret Gun and Air-to-Air missile launchers). The system functionalities have been assessed and found satisfactory during the trials and long-duration ferry across India. Further development activities are under progress and the weapon firing trials are planned during in the middle of 2016.
The advantage of indigenous development of helicopters such as ALH, LCH and LUH at HAL is that the users’ requirement are well captured right from early design stage and are fine-tuned as the project progresses with the involvement of users so that the product complies to the stringent operational requirements at high altitudes (Himalayan and North Eastern terrains)
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A well-known aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, is in talks to partner up with Tata Group and Mahindra Group to build up local manufacturing capabilities in India. With the help of this strategic alliance, India’s aerospace sector will expand, domestic manufacturing will be strengthened, and jobs will be generated.
“Tata told us that their initial focus would be on large aircraft, including Airbus and Boeing. After that, they would consider smaller, regional aircraft, and there is the market where we are,” according to president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto.
While Airbus and Boeing dominate the market for bigger commercial planes, Embraer is a market leader in regional aviation. By the end of 2023, the business wants to have decided on an Indian partner for the production of defense aircraft.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for medium-transport aircraft that have a lifting capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes. It aims to finish this search by 2025 or 2026. The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical air transport aircraft, the newest defense offering from Embraer, which debuted the plane at Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru in February, has been pushed for the order.
According to CEO Neto, Embraer sees “a good opportunity” in India. “The IAF has already seen our aircraft, and they approve. We have received positive feedback about the C-390 Millennium from nations like the Netherlands. We believe that the C-390 Millennium is the greatest option for that size of aircraft.
The Indian defense aviation market is not new to Embraer. The business has previously worked with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to produce three Netra airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the ERJ145 platform of Embraer, which are used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF and the Border Security Force (BSF) both use Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft to fly VIPs and government officials.
The partnership combines the skills and strengths of each partner. Together with Tata Group’s manufacturing capabilities and Mahindra Group’s technical know-how, Embraer’s extensive domain understanding and technological expertise in the aerospace sector form a potent partnership that can provide high-quality products and solutions.
Embraer, Tata Group, and Mahindra Group’s cooperation paves the way for sustained success and growth. This cooperation can investigate the potential in both domestic and foreign markets as the demand for aircraft goods and services keeps growing. Together, it can boost India’s position as a major center of manufacturing, which would benefit the country’s aerospace sector as well.
The first B-52 from the U.S. Air Force has landed at Boeing to start receiving improvements under the Radar Modernization Programme.
The RMP programme will equip the B-52 with “fighter-like” radar capabilities, enhancing navigational precision, targeting, and tracking, as well as delivering fresh, high-resolution mapping. Additionally, numerous targets can be engaged at once by the new radar.
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According to Jennifer Wong, director of Bomber Programmes, “The B-52 brings unique, critical capabilities to the U.S. Air Force as they move to a future two-bomber platform strategy.” We are improving the B-52 radar to make the aircraft more relevant to the warfighter for tactical assault or close air support.
Boeing started low-rate initial manufacture of the new radar system for operational test and evaluation after the radar programme Critical Design Review was completed on schedule. Modernization of the B-52 is being done at Boeing facilities in San Antonio and Oklahoma City.
Modern active electronically scanned array radar, two big area touch-screen displays with high clarity, two display sensor system processors to link the radar with other B-52 systems, two hand controllers, and a new wide-band radome on the aircraft’s nose are all part of the RMP programme modifications.
Volaris, a Mexican ultra-low-cost airline, is the first airline based outside of the United States to receive an Airbus A320neo built in Airbus’ Alabama production site.
By May 30, 2023, Airbus’ North American operation in Mobile, Alabama, had built 385 aircraft from the A320 and A220 families. But up to this point, all 13 customers—US airlines—had received these deliveries.
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A third Final Assembly Line, is now being added as part of a proposal to expand Airbus’ Alabama business and boost A320 Family aircraft manufacturing.
According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the expansion will result in the creation of 1,000 jobs. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Airbus has sold more than 1,150 aircraft. In the region, more than 750 are in use, and another 500 are in the order backlog, accounting for a market share of approximately 60% of passenger aircraft now in service.
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